A small study suggests that long-distance runners may have a higher prevalence of colon polyps and advanced adenomas, potentially linked to exercise-induced gut ischemia, diet, or other factors, warranting further research and possibly tailored screening strategies.
Recent research suggests that ultramarathon running may be a risk factor for developing advanced adenomas, which are linked to colorectal cancer, with nearly 15% of studied runners showing such growths, higher than the general population. This finding is significant amid rising colorectal cancer rates among young adults, prompting calls for refined screening and further investigation into lifestyle and environmental factors, including the potential impact of COVID-19.